Vehicle Body Frame Layout for Rigidity Without Underfloor Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body frame structures face challenges in enhancing rigidity while maintaining adequate underfloor space and preventing load concentration at joints, particularly due to installation restrictions and the need for additional stiffening members.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body frame structure that includes side sill front and rear pieces, front and rear side frames, and a crossing member, with linear couplings and overlapping configurations to distribute loads and maintain rigidity without occupying underfloor space, using lightweight stiffening members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stiffening members are provided along the inner sidewalls of side sills to enhance rigidity, then vehicle body rigidity is improved, but underfloor space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frames are positioned vehicle-widthwise outwardly of the side sills rather than along the inner sidewalls, changing the spatial dimension from interior to exterior. This relocation maintains rigidity enhancement while preserving underfloor space by utilizing the space outward from the side sills
2Strength
If the main frame, side sills, and rear side frames are unitized to enhance continuity and rigidity, then vehicle body rigidity is improved, but installation layout restrictions and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body frame structure is divided into separate components (main frame, side sills, rear side frames, front side frames) that can be manufactured and installed independently. The linear couplings provide clear connection points that simplify assembly while maintaining overall structural rigidity
3Strength
If additional stiffening members are added to supplement rigidity in separately provided frame components, then vehicle body rigidity is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frames serve multiple functions: they connect the side sill front pieces to the rear side frames, provide structural rigidity, and are positioned to overlap with the side sills for enhanced strengthening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate stiffening members
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body frame structure includes side sill front pieces, side sill rear pieces, front side frames and rear side frames. The front side frames extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction from respective vehicle-frontward ends of the side sill front pieces, and are provided on vehicle-widthwise either side and vehicle-widthwise inwardly of the side sill front pieces. The side sill front pieces and the side sill rear pieces are coupled linearly at first couplings while extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The front side frames and the rear side frames are coupled linearly at second couplings while extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The second couplings are provided vehicle-rearwardly of the first couplings. The front side frames are coupled, at the first couplings, to the side sill front pieces and the side sill rear pieces, to overlap with the side sill front pieces and the side sill rear pieces.